Dimonds Are For Lovers

Mark & Pam Bissing

Love is all around us and we here at The Mine are caught up in the feeling. When two lovebirds say their I dos with a pair of Dimonds, it makes our hearts beat. We asked these Dimond owners how they share the love in their life in and out of sport.

Tell us a little bit about yourselves
Mark is a cardiologist, originally from Kansas City. He is a big Chiefs and Royals fan. I maintain the home front. I am a USAT coach with two clients; me and Mark. We live in Des Moines and have a second home on the Big Island of HI. We also enjoy hiking, snorkeling, & snow shoeing. Time with any of our 5 grandkids is a blast.

How did you meet?
In jogging class the first year at the university we were attending.

Any plans for Valentine’s Day?
A brick workout; ride the Queen K, then run. Go to beach and then dinner at the Kona Inn at sunset.

What is your favorite couples destination race and why?
Hard to pick just one race as favorite. We love Lavaman (Olympic) because it’s on our own turf of our second home. Beautiful race, well organized and great post race party. We do IM Arizona the most. Love the area, good race. We love IM Whistler, BC. Outstandingly BEAUTIFUL, and Canadians are so nice.

How do you make it work balancing work, family, training, etc?
Mark works long hours, he does his best to fit in a workout when he can before &/or after work. When he is on call on weekends, he just can’t fit in a workout. Our kids are adults and we try to get together with them and their family Sunday afternoon/evenings. I try to get a swim workout in before the grandkids swim lessons so I can watch them.

What races do you each have planned for 2018?
Lavaman- March
IM TX- April
IM HI 70.3- June (Mark only)
Ochoco 50 mile Ultra marathon- July
Steelhead 70.3 (tentative)-Aug
IM AZ- November

What is your biggest triathlon achievement?
The volume of IM we have completed. Mark has completed 14 IM so far. That includes one IM he completed even though he swam one armed due to a freshly broken clavicle. I have completed 12 IM. We both are AWA, and are in legacy program waiting our turn for Kona.

What gets you out of bed every morning?
The want / need for a cup of coffee.